ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment felicitates Tokyo 2020 Paralympic medal winners & members of the Indian contingent
Ministry provides cash awards to Paralympic winners for the first time
The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar and Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale felicitated Tokyo 2020 Paralympic medal winners and other members of the Indian contingent and their coaches at a ceremony held at the Convention Hall, Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi today. The felicitation ceremony was organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Office bearers of Indian Paralympic Committee, namely, Shri Avinash Rai Khanna, Chief Patron, Ms Deepa Malik, President and Shri Gursharan Singh, Secretary General, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ms Anjali Bhawra and other senior officers of the Department were present in the felicitation ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Virendra Kumar, Minister, SJ&E congratulated all the medal winners and every member of the Indian Paralympic team for their outstanding effort in bringing glory to the nation. He also thanked the coaches of the Indian Paralympic team for their significant contribution in developing world class divyang sports persons in the country. He wished that with the combined efforts of divyang sports persons, their coaches and their families, the Paralympic sports will continue to rise and the Indian medal tally at the next Paralympics could be doubled.
MoS, Shri Ramdas Athawale congratulated the entire Indian Paralympic contingent, their escorts and their coaches for their magnificient performance in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics for winning record number of medals for the country.
For the first time the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken a decision to provide cash awards to Paralympic winners. Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment declared cash award of Rs 10 lakh for Gold Medal, Rs 8 lakh for Silver Medal and Rs 5 lakh for Bronze Medal winners. The cash award will be paid directly into the bank account of the players.
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurates the newly upgraded website of IITTM in 108 national & International languages
Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism  Shri Prahlad Singh Patel virtually addressed the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Gwalior’s event organised on the occasion of World Environment Day today. On this occasion, Shri Patel virtually inaugurated the newly upgraded website of IITTM in 108 national & International languages, Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification  communication seminar, Aqua based Adventure Tourism ATLAS and also Planted Saplings.
Secretary Tourism, GoI ShriArvind Singh; Joint Secretary Shri RakeshVerma; ADG Tourism Smt. Rupinder Brar and Economic Advisor to Tourism Ministry Shri Gyan Bhushan were also virtually present in this event.
In his address, tourism Minister Shri Patel appreciated the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification programme and gave his best wishes to the participants. Shri Patel also congratulated IITTM for the new website now available in large number of languages. Shri Patel said that Environment is the biggest asset we have and appealed to everyone to plant as many trees as possible. Along with this it is our duty to take care of the health of our environment so that we can live a healthy life. The Minister also added that it is our duty to preserve our environment for our future generation.
Secretary Tourism, Shri Arvind Singh appreciated the role of IITTM in the field of Tourism and expressed hope that the tourism sector will once again get a boost after the current pandemic wave is over.
2230 participants are taking s part in the current batch of Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification  programme and a total of 7546 people are registered for the programme. Batches of 25 participants each will undergo for 4 hours daily training for 7 days. After the evaluation, participants will receive certificates.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari says road infrastructure is being developed faster, safer and more sustainable than ever before
Union minister for Road transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi road infrastructure is being developed faster, safer andmore sustainable than ever before.In a meeting with officials of the Ministry ,NHAI ,NHIDCL and PWDs he said that it is our collective mission to give the country, road infrastructure of global standard. The ministeremphasised on safety-first approach for Road design and construction, construction of environment-friendly roads, industry-friendly approach, new technology for safe, faster and economic roads and faster construction.
Shri Gadkari said with an investment of Rs11,000 Crores the 313 km long highway will transform the road infrastructure of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. He said 80% of the corridor has been completed and is scheduled to open to public by March 2022.He saidSix lane access controlled Ambala-Kotputli Greenfield Corridor is being constructed at record pace.
MJPS
(Visitor Counter : 1221
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Khadi’s Global Popularity Attracts Mexican Ambassador to Khadi India Pavilion at IITF; Ambassador Appreciates Diversity of Khadi Fabric
Khadi’s soaring global popularity grabbed the attention of the Mexican Ambassador to India, H.E. Mr Federico Salas, who visited the Khadi India Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair 2021, on Thursday. Ambassador Mr Salas lauded the global popularity of Khadi and clicked selfies with the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the selfie point in Khadi pavilion. He was received by Shri Manoj Kumar, Member , Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
The Ambassador saw the live demonstration of Pashmina wool spinning, clay pottery making, wood-pressed oil extraction, Incense sticks  and handmade paper making while he also visited several other stalls displaying the finest handcrafted Khadi fabric, readymade garments, handmade jewellery and a wide range of village industry products. The Ambassador took to an electric potter wheel and tried his hands on making clay pottery.
Mr Salas appreciated the sheer variety of products at the Khadi India Pavilion and the exquisite craftsmanship of Khadi artisans. “I congratulate Khadi and Village Industries Commission for setting up such a grand Khadi India pavilion at IITF that has given Khadi artisans a big platform to sell their products. Khadi strikes a special chord between India and Mexico and the two countries would work out ways to come together in promoting Khadi across the world,” the Ambassador said.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Jharkhand boys, who beat poverty to follow their passion, have entered Khelo India Youth Games hockey semifinal
In March 2021, Jharkhand created history by winning the 11th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men’s National Championship.
They had, however, already scored a much more significant and crucial victory. Almost each member of the squad had waged a long and grim battle against poverty and hardship before making it into the team.
Manohar Mundu, 17, among the brightest in the lineup, lost his father when he was just a child. Like most kids around him, he started playing hockey with a bamboo stick.
This is all they could afford to pursue their passion. “We would play the entire day; it didn’t matter that we didn’t have any equipment,” he said shortly after their match in the Khelo India Youth Games.
Even after he was admitted into the Jharkhand Awasiya Balak Hockey Prashikshan Kendra in Khunti, the Residential School for Sports that supports 25 budding athletes in each district, Manohar’s travails didn’t end.
He still didn’t have money to buy shoes or a stick. He had to make do with hand-me-downs. Luckily, his coach was a generous man. He bought him his first pair of shoes and a nice hockey stick. His friend’s family too bailed him out once.
Abhishek Mundu’s father is a policeman. But he didn’t earn enough to send his son to an academy for training. Even the expense for daily commute was beyond him. Their coach Manohar Topno somehow convinced Abhishek’s father to not give hope, to send his son to the residential school.
“There is back-breaking poverty in the region. During the Covid lockdown, each player, still just boys, had to work, do all kinds of menial stuff, to support their families. Even adults cannot balance two lives, the way these boys do,” Topno says with a tinge of anger.
Duga Munda came to the residential school very young. “I keep going back home to help my father with farm work. We can’t hire labour. My parents feel happy seeing my progress but making ends meet is still quite a task.”
Another boy in the team from the government-run Awasiya Centre is Bilsan Dodrey. He comes from a village lost deep in the forest.
Poverty has different shades within the state, though. In the same hockey team, the boys in Eklavya Model Residential Schools and Tata Academy live in AC rooms and get a diet worth Rs 450 a day. The boys from Awasiya Centre, however, get a diet of Rs 150 to 175 per day.
Yet they play on the same turf and get medals. They learn about modern facilities and tactics by watching videos and participating in tournaments.
They are now poised to create history in the Khelo India Games too. Both their Boys and Girls teams are already in the semifinals. They are confident of winning at least one gold.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Rabi Crops Sowing Crosses 632 Lakh Hactare
As per preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on 2nd February 2018 stands at 632.34 lakh hectares as compared to 641.72 lakh hectare this time in 2017.
Wheat has been sown/transplanted in 300.70 lakh hectares, rice in 28.61 lakh hectares, pulses in 166.47 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 56.27 lakh hectares and area sown under oilseeds is 80.29 lakh hectares.
The area sown so far and that sown during last year this time is as follows:
Lakh hectare
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Crop
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Area sown in 2017-18
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Area sown in 2016-17
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Wheat
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|
300.70
|
|
317.82
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|
Rice
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|
28.61
|
|
24.21
|
|
Pulses
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|
166.47
|
|
158.02
|
|
Coarse Cereals
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|
56.27
|
|
57.23
|
|
Oilseeds
|
|
80.29
|
|
84.44
|
|
Total
|
|
632.34
|
|
641.72
SS: weather watch 02.02.2018
Ministry of Finance
Extension of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme through ECLGS 2.0 for the 26 sectors identified by the Kamath Committee and the healthcare sector
Extension of the duration of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  1.0
The Government has extended Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  through ECLGS 2.0 for the 26 sectors identified by the Kamath Committee and the healthcare sector. Under ECLGS 2.0 entities with outstanding credit above Rs. 50 crore and not exceeding Rs. 500 crore as on 29.2.2020, which were less than or equal to 30 days past due as on 29.2.2020 are eligible. These entities/borrower accounts shall be eligible for additional funding up to 20 per cent  of their total outstanding credit  as a collateral free Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line , which would be fully guaranteed by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited . The loans provided under ECLGS 2.0 will have a 5-year tenor, with a 12-month moratorium on repayment of principal.
In addition to ECLGS 2.0, where no annual turnover ceiling has been prescribed, it has also been decided to extend ECLGS 1.0 to entities under ECLGSwhich had a total credit outstanding  of upto Rs.50 crore as on 29.02.2020, but were previously ineligible owing to their annual turnover exceeding Rs.250 crore. All other existing criteria/ terms and conditions remain unchanged.
The Scheme would be applicable to all loans sanctioned under ECLGS during the period from the date of issue of these guidelines by NCGTC to 31.03.2021 or till guarantees for an amount of Rs 3,00,000 crore is sanctioned under the ECLGS , whichever is earlier.
The modified Scheme while providing an incentive to Member Lending Institutions  to enable availability of additional funding facility to the eligible borrowers, both MSMEs/business enterprises and identified sectors that supports MSMEs, will go a long way in contributing to economic revival, protecting jobs, and create conducive environment for employment generation.
NCGTC has issued the operational guidelines in this regard.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Government Approves TOPS Development swimmer Aryan Nehra’s proposal to train in Dubai to prepare for the World Junior Championships
Mission Olympic Cell  on Thursday approved the proposal of Indian swimmer Aryan Nehra to train at Aqua Nation Sports Academy , Dubai. Aryan, who is a TOPS Development Group athlete since December 2019 is preparing for World Junior Championships which are set to take place in August this year.
18-year-old Aryan, who belongs to Ahmedabad Gujarat, has been sanctioned Rs. 8.7 lakhs approximately for his 90 days training that started earlier this month and will conclude in August 2022. The sanctioned amount will cover the cost of his air travel, boarding and lodging expenses, coaching fees, local transport cost, and out-of-pocket allowance among other expenses.
Aryan specialises in the 1500m freestyle, which is considered one of the toughest events in swimming. In the year 2017, at the Malaysian age-group meet, he won five gold medals and also set meet records in three events. In 2019, he also achieved the ‘B’ mark for the world championship in South Korea.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh Odisha and Maharashtrra with purchase of over 295.23 LMTs of paddy upto 20.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 250.55 LMT showing an increase of 17.83 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 295.23 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 201.36 LMT which is 68.20 % of total procurement.
About 25.83 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 55740.88 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 20.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 67040.30 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.362.39 Crores benefitting 38880 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of 57285.78 MT which is an increase of 17.02% for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 20.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha. Till 20.11.2020 a quantity of 2022869 cotton bales valuing Rs. 6190.96 Crore has been procured benefitting 402576 farmers.
Prime Minister's Office
List of documents exchanged during the visit of Prime Minister to Kyrgyz Republic
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S. No.
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Declaration/Agreements/MoUs
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1.
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Joint Declaration between India and the Kyrgyz Republic on Strategic Partnership
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|
2.
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|
Road map on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Republic of India and the Kyrgyz Republic for the Five-Year period 
|
|
3.
|
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Bilateral Investment Treaty  between India and the Kyrgyz Republic
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|
4.
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Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between National Security Council Secretariat of India and Office of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic
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|
5.
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Protocol to Amend Article 26 of India-Kyrgyzstan Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement 
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|
6.
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Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Health
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|
7.
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MoU between DRDO and Kyrgyz India Mountain Biomedical Research Centre
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8.
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Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between National Security Guards of India and National Guards of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic
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9.
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Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between National Defence Academy of India and Kyrgyz Military Institute of the Kyrgyz Republic
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10.
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Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between High Altitude Warfare School , Indian Armed Forces and Joint Mountain training Centre of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic
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11.
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Memorandum of Cooperation between Export-Import Bank of India and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic
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12.
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MoU between India and the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation on Information and Communication Technology
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13.
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Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Consumer Affairs of India and Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of Legal Metrology.
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14.
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Memorandum of Understanding between Research and Information System for Developing Countries  of India and National Institute of Strategic Studies  of the Kyrgyz Republic
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15.
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Memorandum of Understanding between Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Himachal Pradesh and Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Meeting with State Government officials and Municipal Commissioners from 82 non-attainment cities  for elimination of identified Single Use Plastic  items organised by MoEFCC
Air quality management in 82 NACs under National Clean Air Programme discussed
A meeting was organised by MoEFCC with 82 non-attainment cities  under National Clean Air Programme  regarding elimination of single use plastic  items as well as air quality management today. The meeting was attended by the Municipal Commissioners and senior officials of the State Governments from Environment, Urban Development and Local Self Government  Departments and State Pollution Control Boards .
During the meeting, the Municipal Commissioners were informed about the ban on identified SUP items that will come into effect from 1st July 2022. It was informed that the notification was published on 12th August 2021. The Municipal Commissioners were requested to lead their teams with regard to efforts for enforcement within their jurisdiction. They were requested to help all stakeholders including traders, distributors, retailers as well as consumers to switch over to alternatives of the banned SUP items.
It was highlighted that the success of the ban will be possible with effective engagement and concerted actions by all the stakeholders.
The Municipal Commissioners assured effective enforcement and taking up of constructive engagement with the stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the ban and switch over to alternatives to the banned SUP items.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tribute to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid his tributes to Ex-President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary. The Prime Minister recalled the contributions of Dr Kalam as a scientist and as a President who struck a chord with every section of society.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Tributes to our former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He is greatly admired for his contribution to our nation as a scientist and as a President who struck a chord with every section of society.”
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes, as was done in previous seasons.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is progressing at a good pace in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and Gujarat with purchase of over 210.49 LMTs of paddy upto 01.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 175.48 LMT showing an increase of 19.95 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 210.49 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 148.07 LMT which is 70.34 % of total procurement.
About 17.74 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS
procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 39740.54 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given.
For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuringagencies.
Upto 01.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 10571.140 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 57.83 Crores benefitting 6607 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.
52.40 Crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Till 01.11.2020 a quantity of 633719 cotton bales valuing Rs.184563 lakh has been procured benefitting 120437 farmers.